To and Fro: moving your bike around British Columbia
My bike and I are in
and we’d like to be in
.
We show what transit connections accept bikes. Check with the operator for prices, schedules, and reservations.
Same place twice. You’re already there, so enjoy the ride.
Good news: buses and flights can carry you and your bike from Cranbrook to Nakusp.
For scale
As the crow flies168 km
Biking whole way249 km · 22 h 09 m
By car370 km · 4 h 14 m
We found two ways to get you there.
🎒 Riding a coach? Most BC coach operators want your bike bagged or boxed. Our field note walks through packing it, including an inexpensive packable bike bag we like: How to bike-and-bus in BC ›
Note: Most carriers carry only a handful of bikes, and summer weekends fill up fast. Reserve where you can. Where you can't, go early or have a backup plan.
Option one · two legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Mountain Man Mike's will get you there.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – Calgaryor Mountain Man Mike's (Kaslo – Cranbrook – Calgary (weekly)) (doesn't run every day)Cranbrook →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)162 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Mountain Man Mike's: Runs once a week, continuing east into Alberta.
Mountain Man Mike's: The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
🚎BC Transit74 Nakusp-Nelson1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) →6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp)101 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
🚲You arrive at 6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp).
Option two · four legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Fly most of the way, then let transit finish the trip.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲First, get from Central Cranbrook to YXC (Cranbrook), about 12 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Key City Cabs Ltd., Star Taxi might help.
✈️Air CanadaVancouver (YVR) – Cranbrook (YXC)YXC (Cranbrook) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)539 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
✈️Air CanadaVancouver (YVR) – Castlegar (YCG)Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →Castlegar402 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
🚲Travel the short hop from Castlegar to Hwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Brilliant), about 2.8 km.
🚎BC Transit99 Kootenay ConnectorHwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Brilliant) →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)31 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit74 Nakusp-Nelson1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) →6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp)101 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
🚲You arrive at 6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp).
Route facts last checked October 2026. We check that every leg here carries bikes, but policies and seasons change. Check times and book with the operator. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.
Explore more
Heading back: Nakusp to Cranbrook (best: bus)
Connections from Cranbrook: Fernie (best: bus) · Clearwater (best: bus) · Mayne Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + plane)
Connections from Nakusp: New Denver (best: bus) · Clearwater (best: bus) · Gibsons (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + SkyTrain + plane)